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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My nanny got cosmetic surgery and can’t work

361 replies

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 17:26

We live overseas and we have a full time nanny. She also does cleaning, laundry, cooking etc. This is normal for the culture here. Everyone has a housekeeper / nanny / driver. We pay her well and she’s part of the family, she’s been with us 18 months with no problems.

My husband works full time and I’m a writer and a part time student. We have a small child at school and a two year old who is at home but attends an educational setting part time. My husband and I go to lots of events so need evening cover.

Anyway, we have been in our home country for 3 weeks over Christmas and the nanny has had 3 weeks paid leave. She sends me a WhatsApp today saying “I’ve had cosmetic surgery done” with various photos. She is expecting to be off work for 3-4 weeks. We come back to the country tomorrow so we’re expecting to see her tomorrow.

AIBU to be annoyed? This was sprung on me at the last minute.

OP posts:
ChattyCatty25 · 03/01/2026 19:58

This is normal for the culture here. Everyone has a housekeeper / nanny / driver.

@Crispychillifriedbeef it’s not “everyone”: the housekeepers, nannies and drivers don’t have housekeepers, nannies and drivers. YABU for living in a wealthy bubble.

But yes, your nanny is unreasonable and unreliable for this, and you should get another.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 03/01/2026 19:57

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And you just sound bitter 😂

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:55

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ByWisePanda · 03/01/2026 19:55

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 18:38

In parts of the world, it’s normal to have paid household staff. In fact we are encouraged by my husband’s employer to employ local staff.

We attend diplomatic functions once or twice a week and sometimes travel in the region with an overnight stay. Who would you suggests takes care of the children? In our home country my parents would help but we don’t have family here.

I am assuming poverty is an issue in the country you live in. My partner's mum had the same set up and hired local people to look after the house and gardens. She was kidnapped a few years ago.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/01/2026 19:54

ThatCyanJoker · 03/01/2026 19:52

Assuming you are employing this nanny legitimately, you need to contact your nanny payroll company and put her on SSP - statutory sick pay.

There won't be SSP, likely middle Eastern country if nanny, driver, cleaner is tge norm.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 03/01/2026 19:54

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:51

They don't pay their own housing costs when on deployment either 😉

Ok. And?

Bones75 · 03/01/2026 19:53

I'd get rid of her. She's abusing her position

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/01/2026 19:53

Why the heck didn't she have it done before christmas? I'd have to have a conversation with her before deciding how to move forward. Having said that, she could have just become ill so your writing will have to go on hold for now.

ponita · 03/01/2026 19:53

I'd be disappointed and pissed off too. She should have let you know well in advance so you could make alternative arrangements.

ThatCyanJoker · 03/01/2026 19:52

Assuming you are employing this nanny legitimately, you need to contact your nanny payroll company and put her on SSP - statutory sick pay.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 03/01/2026 19:52

Fleurdalys · 03/01/2026 19:49

My heart bleeds for you 😂

What a weird response. Would your response be the same if the OPs council run nursery had closed leaving her without childcare? Or do you have some weird fucked up view that a nanny is not actually necessary childcare

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:52

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whatcanthematterbe81 · 03/01/2026 19:52

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:51

They don't pay their own housing costs when on deployment either 😉

Lucky them :-)

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 19:51

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:50

I work for the public sector. Which is why I know you're not funding the nanny with your own cash.

Great, I would like to see your itemised expenditure then as I’m a taxpayer.

See how crazy it sounds?

OP posts:
Bruisername · 03/01/2026 19:51

You should have asked this in legal and just said generic employee

the froth around nanny’s is absurd and incredibly insulting to both the position of nanny and mother!

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:51

whatcanthematterbe81 · 03/01/2026 19:50

I sorry I missed that. I still don’t think it’s relevant. They pay mortgage, food, bills too. Their money to do as they wish (IMO)

They don't pay their own housing costs when on deployment either 😉

whatcanthematterbe81 · 03/01/2026 19:50

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:47

Op claims to be the wife in an fcdo diplomat family

Which means you and I are paying for this nanny, not op

I sorry I missed that. I still don’t think it’s relevant. They pay mortgage, food, bills too. Their money to do as they wish (IMO)

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:50

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 19:48

So let me get this right, your belief is that no public sector worker can use their salary as they wish? Do you apply this fo a council library assistant or teacher?

That’s batshit crazy.

I work for the public sector. Which is why I know you're not funding the nanny with your own cash.

Fleurdalys · 03/01/2026 19:49

My heart bleeds for you 😂

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 19:48

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:47

Op claims to be the wife in an fcdo diplomat family

Which means you and I are paying for this nanny, not op

So let me get this right, your belief is that no public sector worker can use their salary as they wish? Do you apply this fo a council library assistant or teacher?

That’s batshit crazy.

OP posts:
PalmTreesandPinaColada123 · 03/01/2026 19:48

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:47

Op claims to be the wife in an fcdo diplomat family

Which means you and I are paying for this nanny, not op

No, they are paid a salary. They get to do what they want with said salary.

Or are civil servants not allowed to spend their money how they choose? Because that would actually be a form of servitude.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 03/01/2026 19:47

OP, just based on your initial query and not all the snarky back and forth:

Yes, annoyed is not unreasonable. Nanny should have said, I have booked surgery for my holiday and expect recovery to be 3-4 weeks. So you could have made arrangements for temp cover if needed.
You should tell her that in future you need notice if she plans to be off longer than arranged as a term of employment.

An aside: is cosmetic surgery very cheap that a nanny can afford it?

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:47

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Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:47

whatcanthematterbe81 · 03/01/2026 19:45

I’m being thick here so apologies, but I don’t understand?

Op claims to be the wife in an fcdo diplomat family

Which means you and I are paying for this nanny, not op

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/01/2026 19:46

Pavementworrier · 03/01/2026 19:43

I think when the British taxpayer is funding a nanny it's fair to hold views

People in the public sector are paid a salary. It’s up to them what they do with their salary. They can buy a sports car, employ a cleaner, fly business class or do whatever they want with their money.

OP posts: